self-tape

13 articles
The Industry
Actor reading a script during an audition
How Casting Has Changed

Top casting directors discuss how they’ve seen the casting process evolve over the years, from in-person auditions to self-tapes. The path to the audition room has transformed over the last decade. What was once a world of physical headshots and in-person sessions has shifted into a more digital landscape of self-tapes and global reach. While […]

casting directors
interview
self-tape
The Essentials
A film camera in a studio next to a Mac
What Performers Should Know About Copyright in the UK

Understanding UK copyright rules to clear clips safely for your acting showreel.

acting advice
copyright
self-tape
Getting Work
Senior actress setting up a camera for a self-tape
Technical Tips to Improve Your Self-Tape

Master lighting, settings, and backdrops with our expert guide to fixing common self-tape issues. In all our years of providing industry advice and helping performers improve their Spotlight profiles, we’ve seen a lot of self-tapes, and we’ve noticed a few recurring issues actors are having while filming.  This guide demystifies the technical side of self-taping, […]

auditions
self-tape
spotlight experts
The Essentials
14 Tips for Finding Freedom within Self-Tapes

Mel Churcher’s 14 expert strategies for finding freedom, building a believable world, and ensuring your next self-tape captures your true potential. Technical perfection is only half the battle in a self-tape; the real challenge is maintaining the spark of a live performance through a lens. Renowned acting and voice coach Mel Churcher — who has […]

acting advice
auditions
improvisation
The Industry
Self-Taping Tips for Young Performers

Essential guidance for parents and young performers to master the technical and practical art of self-taping. This guide simplifies the self-tape process for families, helping young performers balance school and auditions with ease. You’ll discover how to capture clear sound and lighting, why landscape filming is non-negotiable, and the best ways to name and send […]

auditions
self-tape
young performers
The Essentials
The Spotlight Guide to Idents

Our guide to demystifying the audition process and filming professional idents and full-length shots.

auditions
commercials
film
The Essentials
Editing and Sharing Self-Tapes

A guide to editing and sending self-tapes from Spotlight’s Audio Visual Specialist, Nicholas Peel. You’ve set up and filmed a self-tape, made sure the lighting and sound are on point and now it’s time to share your video with the casting director, but how should you do that? Nicholas Peel gives his tips for basic video editing, converting your file into one that casting directors […]

self-tape
spotlight experts
young performers
The Essentials
Lighting and Sound for Self-Tapes

A guide to lighting and sound for performer self-tapes from Spotlight’s Audio Visual Specialist, Nicholas Peel. If you’ve read our article about setting up and filming self-tapes and are ready to learn more about lighting and recording sound, then this is the guide for you! Nicholas gives his tips and kit recommendations if you’re ready to take […]

self-tape
spotlight experts
young performers
The Essentials
Setting Up and Filming Young Performer Self-Tapes

A guide from Audio Visual Specialist, Nicholas Peel, on the basics of preparing and filming young performer self-tapes. The idea of self-taping can be a little intimidating if a young performer has never done one before or if they’re more used to traditional casting room auditions. But fear not! We’ve put together this practical guide […]

self-tape
spotlight experts
young performers
The Spotlight Podcast
Male actor looking towards his phone, which is on a stand, whilst filming a self-tape
The Spotlight Podcast: How to Self-Tape on Your Phone

Expert tips on how to set up, light and film self-tapes on your phone.

auditions
podcast
self-tape